Honda Civic Catalytic Converters

• The Honda Civic is a reliable car, but it’s not immune to common car problems. Many Civic owners have issues like a faulty Honda Civic catalytic converter.
• Some of the most common Honda Civic catalytic converter issues are a cracked catalytic converter, fast catalytic converter deterioration caused by poor igniter connections, and the check engine light throwing a false code pertaining to the catalytic converter.
• Two common reasons to replace the catalytic converter are replacing the damaged component and upgrading for improved performance.
• You can find an OE replacement Honda catalytic converter for your Civic for as low as $50, but it’s not uncommon to find performance replacement catalytic converters that cost around $700 to $800.

The Honda Civic is a compact sedan that was introduced as a subcompact car in 1972. Over the years, the Honda Civic slowly grew in size and now borders on the midsize classification for its tenth generation.

The Honda Civic has proven to be a trusty vehicle for many generations, but it’s still not immune to common car problems. Many Civic owners have issues like a faulty Honda Civic catalytic converter.

Honda Civic owners have reported some problems concerning the catalytic converter. Here are some of the most common Honda Civic catalytic converter issues:

Cracked Catalytic Converter and Exhaust Manifold

Many Honda Civic owners have reported seeing cracks in their Civic’s catalytic converter and exhaust manifold due to rusting. This has been reported for various year models of the Honda Civic. Warning signs for this issue include loud noises coming from the exhaust, the smell of exhaust fumes, the check engine light turning on, and lack of power.

Faster Than Usual Catalytic Converter Deterioration

Some Honda Civic owners have reported that bad igniter connections resulted in their catalytic converters deteriorating much faster than usual.

Check Engine Light Throwing a False Code

There have also been reports of the Civic’s check engine light throwing a false 420 (catalytic converter) code. This can be resolved with a software update.

When the catalytic converter fails, the usual solution is to replace it. Catalytic converters are rarely repaired. In some cases, a clogged catalytic converter can be cleaned to improve performance. However, a catalytic converter that has sustained extensive physical damage will definitely require replacement.

There are two common reasons to replace the catalytic converter: replacing the damaged part or upgrading for better performance. In some cases, people who are replacing a damaged catalytic converter also want to upgrade to avoid suffering from the same issue that caused their original catalytic converter to fail.

If you just want to replace your factory-issued catalytic converter, you can easily find original equipment (OE) replacement parts online. Many car parts manufacturers offer direct-fit replacements that provide the same performance and fit as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part.

If you want to upgrade, you need to look into aftermarket catalytic converters that are especially designed for improved performance. Another way to upgrade your catalytic converter is to choose one that’s made using better material. Many Honda Civic catalytic converters are made with cast iron, which makes them prone to rusting. To avoid this problem, you can choose a replacement catalytic converter that’s made with stainless steel housing or one that’s painted with high-temperature paint.

The price of a Honda Civic catalytic converter replacement varies widely depending on various factors. You can find an OE replacement Honda catalytic converter for your Civic for as low as $50, but it’s not uncommon to find performance replacement catalytic converters that cost around $700 to $800.